Publisher Frogster Interactive and the five-years-old software company based in Paris have gathered a range of highly competitive middleware partners for the forthcoming future sports game. The Artificial Intelligence of Speedball 2’ will be led by SpirOps, Motion Capturing is done by ATOPOS and for multiplayer connectivity the RakNet Network Middleware from Rakkarsoft will be used. Another high-profile partner for the ambitious game-center with worldwide ranking, league system and an online-marketplace will be announced by Frogster shortly.

As eminent advisor and lead producer, Mike Montgomery will supervise all steps in the development of Speedball 2. Since 1987, when he founded the Bitmap Brothers, he has been behind the legendary original as well as classics like Xenon Megablast, The Chaos Engine, Gods, Cadaver, Magic Pockets and Z. For the production of Speedball 2, Kylotonn has assembled a fresh team of experienced game designers and programmers. With photorealistic 3D models, breath-taking animations and futuristic arenas for Speedball 2, the French developer team, already renowned for the “Bet on Soldier” trilogy, heads for a stunning comeback.

To guarantee smooth multiplayer action, Kylotonn has decided to employ renowned network middleware Raknet by Rakkarsoft, used and much acclaimed in the technology demo Cellfactor – Combat Training, which also puts the AGEIA PhysX-effects to impressive use - now becoming a first person shooter game, Cellfactor – Revolution. Again Kylotonn will pull all registers of the AGEIA physics engine for Speedball 2: Moveable game objects and spectacular physics gimmicks will be prominent part of the action sports game. Fluid movement of the Speedball gladiators will be provided by the motion capturing studio ATOPOS, which proved its competence with titles like Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 1 & 2 and Rainbow Six Vegas. With regard to the game’s artificial intelligence, too, the Kylotonn team did not settle for second best: SpirOps’ middleware will guarantee intelligently acting team mates and hordes of tough-tackling opponents. It was SpirOps that memorably put paid to Sam Fisher’s notorious stealth attacks in Splinter Cell – Double Agent. For appropriate in-game advertising, Frogster is engaged in talks with potential partners. Frogster’s marketing manager Stefan Balabanow is convinced that this crew under the guidance of Kylotonn and Mike Montgomery supervising will make Speedball 2 into a smash hit: “With the team we’ve assembled together, we’re well on our way to making Speedball 2 one of the great blockbusters of 2007. And we’ve still got some surprises up our sleeve“.

In 2326, rival gangs form an ultra-violent streetsports league to settle their deadly disputes called Speedball 2. Two teams face each other in bloody battles for a steel ball. Nine on nine – in an all-out rush on the opponents’ goal. Almost any malicious move is permitted. The winner of the matches secures supremacy over the city.

In the third quarter of 2007, Frogster Interactive is set to publish Speedball 2 as the longed-for sequel to the Amiga classic. The new release for the PC platform transforms the futuristic game setting with state-of-the-art technology into a high-speed online sports spectacle. Offering international leagues, a worldwide ranking system and a virtual marketplace, Speedball 2 pulls all registers of modern multiplayer gaming action. A wide range of fully customisable male, female and cyborg characters, dynamic sports battles, and continuous community support will convince sports simulation enthusiasts, action fans, and e-sports cracks likewise.

Since December 2006, a newsletter on the game has been providing exclusive information about every step of the development progress. Subscribers regularly receive news in English or German, unpublished material and access to competitions.

Who wants to be up to date with Speedball 2, registers now on www.speedball2.com